MODERN BUSINESS PREMISES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 26, 10 November 1936, Page 7

MODERN BUSINESS PREMISES

ERECTION OF TWO SHOPS IN EAST STREET

FINE CRAFTMANSHIP OF THE COMPLETED WORK i

ADVANCE IN ASHBURTON’S COMMERCIAL PROGRESS

HANDSOME SHOPS

arranged so that they may be easily inspected. Toys occupy an area in the rear of the hook department and the interesting array of goods can be seen conveniently by any customer. Stationery is conveniently arranged in show cases in the middle of the premises. The whole shop is atliactively finished, the cream wall hoarding contrasting well with the dark staining of the floor. The alterations to these premises have come at a convenient -time for they will enable the best possible setting to he given tp the large consignment of Christmas goods which Mr Hopkins lias ordered tills season. In this shop the Ashburton public will he more than well catered for in their Christmas demands, and a full supply of the staple presents, books, toys and stationery, will be available and will be able to he bought with every facility.

the work going on there to be seen clearly by customers. in the dispensary again the most up-to-date features have been incorporated. Plenty of shell and cupboard space is provided, together with a steel sink. The colour scheme of green and cream has been carried through to the back premises. Tiie cellar which was situated in the old premises lias been incorporated in the new, and will serve as a storeroom for many goods which are a necessary adjunct to the business. Part of the cellar has been set aside for photographic work and an excellent dark room is situated underground. At the back of the dispensary are the manager’s office and several store rooms for goods and chemicals. High craltmanship has been reflected in the whole of the work in the two shops, and the standard reflects great credit on the various firms contributing as well as the contractor and architect.

TWO COMMODIOUS BUILDINGS. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREMISES. The building year in Ashburton has been one of phenomenal activity, and not the least important- ol the many works being carried out is the reconstruction or premises in East Street which will give two of the most modern aiid commodious shops in the town. The premises which have been altered will be occupied by Mr A. \Y. Hopkins bookseller, and ,the United Friendly Societies Pharmacy. T he work has been in* progress for several months and will make this part of the business area one of the most modern and attractive in town. The work has been carried on simultaneously in the two adjacent shops, and the finished result reflects every credit on the contractors, Messrs Smith and Black, of Ashburton. The exterior view of the ptefliises is most striking and this is further enhanced when tlie interior is seen. The design of the buildings brings them into line with the leading metropolitan stores, and there are few provincial towns in the country which will he able to boast of such attractive business premises. Simplicity with all the striking features of modernity was the plan followed by the architect (Mr W. Thomas) in designing the shops. They present a striking exterior view. Shaded by a hanging verandah, the outsides of the buildings have been finished in a neat and attractive manner, and in harmonious colouring. Black and cream are the basic colourings of Mr Hopkins’ street frontage. Full attention lias been given in this shop- to the need for window space, and the shop front is wide and deep, enabling a large and bright display of goods to he shown in the window. Through the glass door the main features of the shop can he seen. The greatest impression is that of the lightness and airiness of the interior. Light is provided by large skylights which allow a maximum of sunlight to penetrate. The premises extend well back enabling a full range of goods to he stocked. At the hack is a store room which provides a large amount of further space. For the business of a bookseller and stationer plenty of space for shelves is necessary, and this requirement was given full attention when the premises were designed for Mr Hopkins. A wide range of reading matter is so arrayed round the walls that it can ho inspected with the maximum of convenience. It is possible to inspect the title of practically every book on the shelves. T he toy department in this business is a large one, and the goods arc also

The alterations Li the United Friendly Societies Dispensary will make it an outstanding shop, not only in Ashburton, but in the whole of the country. This lias been made possible by the incorporation in the premises of the latest developments in chemists’ shops from overseas, and the store will he one of which the town can lie proud. The exterior is strikingly finished in green and cream. The demands of window space have been well studied. Show cases complete with glass shelving are set at a higher level than is usual and thus can he conveniently inspected from the street. The interior of the shop is most striking. As in other premises the necessity for light and airiness has been carefully considered and remarkably accomplished. There is a maximum of display space without the movements of the customer being in any way interfered with. The interior decoration scheme is modern and colourful. The lines of the shop are simple and effective. The -decorative schema is carried out in green and cream, the contrasting note being provided by the counters of Southland beech and Siberian ply in polished grey. Thei whole incorporates a most tasteful note, which is assisted by several large mirrors in the shop. In older to provide the best service for customers a new scheme for the layout of a chemist’s shop has been adopted. By this goods have all been arranged in sections. This is something of a novelty as well as being a most convenient arrangement. Goods are arranged in classes such as patent medicines, toilet and photographic goods, and each is kept at a different counter. Another feature is the open display. All goods are available- for inspection by customers. A commodious system of .inset shelves make place for a further largo display of goods. The fixtures strike a further modern note by being recessed into bays. One- of the outstanding features of the'new shop is the visible dispensary, one of the modern overseas developments which has been incorporated. The dispensary is separated from the shop by a glass partition which will enable

The joinery and painting «is the work of the old-established Ashburton linn of flicker's Limited. This work, of no small importance to the general scheme has been capably cariied out in the. manner for which the firm has earned its reputation in past years. The electric lighting will be a feature of the new shops, and the fittings, which are of a most modern and handsome nature, have been designed to give the maximum ot light with the greatest efficiency. The installation has been expeditiously carried out by C. Burton.

The plaster work on the exterior is one of the features, and will add greatly to the attractive appearance of the premises. The firm of G. Sharp has been responsible for the excellent manner in which it has been performed. A feature of the buildings. is the metal work on the front. 'This gives both utility and attractiveness to the exterior. The fittings were supplied by Briscoe and Company, of Christchurch, who were also responsible for the roofing of the buildings. 'The shop liftings are of the most modern kind and highest quality, and will be particularly ideasing to customers. This work, which is one of the most pleasing features of the building, has been carried out by the firm of W. J. Brown, Ashburton. In every new building to-day plumbing of great excellence and quality is demanded. The plumbing work in the new buildings is well up to this standard, and has ben clone by the firm of T. F. smith.

Although not apparent to the public, the foundation worn of the buildings is not their least important feature. The well-known Ashburton firm of Crum Brothers has carried this out in the most careful and complete manner. The brick, work and the work in the cellar was performed by them. The keynote of the wnclc scheme i ? a combination of utility, -attractiveness and modernity, and the completed premises mark another step in the great building progress which has been made in Ashburton in recent years.